How to record the screen on your Mac

You can use Screenshot or QuickTime player to make a video recording of the entire screen or just a selected portion of it.

Use the Screenshot toolbar

To view the Screenshot toolbar, press these three keys together: Shift, Command, and 5. You will see onscreen controls for recording the entire screen, recording a selected portion of the screen, or capturing a still image of your screen:

Use QuickTime Player

1. Open QuickTime Player from your Applications folder, then choose File > New Screen Recording from the menu bar.
   • If you see the onscreen controls described above, follow those steps.
   • If you see the Screen Recording window described below, follow those steps.
2. Before starting your recording, you can click the arrow next to the Record button to change the recording settings:
   • To record your voice or other audio with the screen recording, choose a microphone. To monitor that audio during recording, adjust the volume slider. If you get audio feedback, lower the volume or use headphones with a microphone.
   • To show a black circle around your pointer when you click, choose Show Mouse Clicks in Recording.
3. To start recording, click the Record button and then take one of these actions:
   • Click anywhere on the screen to begin recording the entire screen.
   • Or drag to select an area to record, then click Start Recording within that area.
4. To stop recording, click the Stop button in the menu bar, or press Command-Control-Esc (Escape).
5. After you stop recording, QuickTime Player automatically opens the recording. You can now play, edit, or share the recording.

Learn more

• The Screenshot toolbar is available in macOS Mojave or later.
• When saving your recording automatically, your Mac uses the name ”Screen Recording date at time.mov”.
• To cancel making a recording, press the Esc key before clicking to record.
• You can open screen recordings with QuickTime Player, iMovie, and other apps that can edit or view videos.
• Some apps might not let you record their windows.
• Learn how to record the screen on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

Published Date: January 12, 2024

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